The Irish Republican Army has begun reducing its membership and shut down key units responsible for weapons-making, arms smuggling and training, an expert panel reported Wednesday in dramatic findings designed to spur a revival of Catholic-Protestant cooperation in Northern Ireland. (International Herald Tribune — 4 hours ago)+ related stories

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the door is now open to a final settlement of the Northern Ireland crisis following an independent commission’s report concluding that the Irish Republican Army is no longer engaged in terrorist activity. (International Herald Tribune — 6 hours ago)+ related stories

The door is now open to a final settlement in the Northern Ireland crisis following an independent commission’s report concluding that the Irish Republican Army’s terror campaign is over, Britain’s premier said Wednesday. (CNN — 2 hours ago)+ related stories

The British and Irish governments have welcomed a report the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has eschewed terrorism saying it paves the way for a final political settlement in Northern Ireland The rea (ABC News — 7 hours ago)+ related stories

British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the door is open for a final peace settlement in Northern Ireland after an independent report concluded that the IRA is no longer engaged in paramilitary violen (ABC News — 1 hour ago)+ related stories

British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived Tuesday for talks with Spanish leaders on the Basque conflict, with Madrid hoping to draw on his experience in dealing with the IRA. (International Herald Tribune — 4 October, 2006)+ related stories

Ireland’s coalition government should weather a storm over payments received by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern during his time as finance minister 13 years ago, Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said on Monday. (CNN — 3 October, 2006)+ related stories